Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of moesin fragments

Abstract

The present application provides compositions and methods for modulating the activity and quantity of platelets and preventing and treating disorders or diseases associated with abnormal activity and quantity of platelets.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating a disorder or disease associated with abnormal high level of platelets in a subject comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide comprising a moesin fragment, wherein the moesin fragment consists essentially of the N-terminal FERM domain of human moesin protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and wherein the disorder or disease associated with abnormal high level of platelets is antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), aPL-thrombosis, or APS-related pregnancy complication. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has or is suspected of having autoantibodies against the N-terminal FERM domain of human moesin protein or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the APS is primary APS or secondary APS. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the autoantibodies are against the N-terminal FERM domain of human moesin protein containing amino acid residues 1-94, 95-201, or 202-297 of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the APS-related pregnancy complication is miscarriage. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antibody against the C-terminal tail domain of human moesin protein or a fragment thereof, wherein the antibody is capable of inhibiting platelet inhibition.